I cannot therefore subscribe to the revolting expressions of regret, to be found, in most of our papers, at the loss which the public sustains, in the premature death of any duellist. Every duel affords sufficient cause of regret. I highly prize the institutions of my country, and cannot bear to see them trampled in the dust. I respect the interests of mankind, and of my fellow-citizens in particular. There lives not, in the bosom of the writer, a solitary wish to inflict an injury, even on the duellist himself. I love his immortal spirit. And it is beyond measure painful to see its welfare sacrificed for ever,-to trace, in imagination, its flight from the scene of vengeful combat, into the presence of a holy God, and to his final retribution.

But it is no part of my belief, that the death of a duellist can be properly represented as a public loss. Splendid talents he may indeed have possessed; but having so fearlessly expressed his disregard of the laws of God and man, his future influence is to be suspected. A nation like ours, can have no real want either of talent or stern integrity, to direct its public measures. It can easily spare from its councils those who evidently do not possess the latter. Let the duellist rest assured, that his premature death will inflict no real wound on his country; that, in sober truth, he cannot die too soon, either for the morality or the safety of the republic.

Entelligence.

CIVIS INDIGNANS.

ASIATIC ISLANDS.

American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.

The joint letter of the Missionaries is dated Jaffna, Aug. 11th, 1821. It begins with an affectionate and somewhat lengthened notice of Mrs. Poor. She rested from her labours on the 9th of May; and after her decease, Mr. and Mrs. Richards removed to Tillipally.

The letter then presents a detail of occurrences in relation to Mr. Garrett. On being refused permission to reside on the island, Mr. Garrett removed to Negapatam, with the intention of residing a short time with the Rev. T. H. Squance, a Wesleyan missionary; but learning that he could remain no where in the possessions of the East India Company, without permission from the government, which, on being requested, would probably be denied, he removed to Tranquebar, a Danish settlement, and, since the year 1705, a station of the Danish Mission College.

Mr. Garrett afterwards removed to Bombay to take the place of Mr. Bardwell in the superintendance of the Printing-Office. The following paragraphs will be read with interest :

"By a recent communication from the government of this island, we have received the first notice, that our mission has been sanctioned by the British government. We have reason to be thankful that we have the prospect of spending our lives among these perishing heathen."

"At Tillipally, on the 22d of April last, the two children from the boardingschool, (Nathaniel Niles and Jordan Lodge,) were baptized, and received as members of the church of Christ."

New-York Religious Tract Society.

113

There were three other candidates for admission, two of whom (Valen and Porter) were afterwards received.

"It was a very interesting scene to behold these children, separated from their perishing countrymen, willing to take up the cross, and bear it after Jesus. Niles and Jordan Lodge were baptized by brother Poor. Mr. Chater, Baptist missionary, administered the sacrament of the Lord's supper. Four or five hundred persons were present, the greater part of whom were children.

"We are happy to state, that two of the individuals, Valen and Porter, mentioned above, were, on the 4th of this month, admitted to the church.

"At the same time George Kock (the young man whom brother Warren took to assist him in the medical department at Tillipally, and who now serves in the same capacity at Pandeteripo,) was received. For some time past, he has visited the people from house to house, for the purpose of instructing them in the plan of salvation through Christ. His knowledge of the native language gives him great facility in communicating religious truths.

One of the boys attached to the boarding-school at Pandeteripo, made a profession of his faith in Christ on the 10th of this month. His name is P. M Whelpley. He is 16 years of age. His father was formerly a Catholic. In consequence of his committing his children to the care of Protestants, he has been excluded from the Catholic communion. He appeared entirely willing that his son should join us. This boy received his first religious impressions at Tillipally, two years ago; and gives pleasing evidence of piety.

"It is with devout thankfulness that we state, that from the time of sister Poor's death, the Lord seems to have been operating by his Spirit, upon the minds of a number at Tillipally, particularly among the boys and girls in the boarding-school. We entertain the hope that two of the girls have passed from death to life.

"Our church now consists of 24 members. Thirteen of the brethren and sis ters; George Kock, Amy Tompkins, a woman of colour who accompanied Dr. Scudder from America, Francis Malleappa, Gabriel Tissera, Nicholas Permander, Philip Matthew, Valen, Ebenezer Porter, Jordan Lodge, Nathaniel Niles, and P. M. Whelpley. Twenty-one of this number sat down together at the communion table at Tillipally, on the 4th of this month.

"In compliance with the directions of the Prudential Committee, brother Scudder has been admitted to the ministry, by the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery.

"Having been examined on experimental religion, and theology, he was ordained in the Wesleyan chapel at Jaffnapatam, on the evening of the 15th of May. The introductory prayer was inade by the Rev. Mr. Chater, Baptist missionary; the sermon by brother Meigs; the consecrating prayer by brother Spaulding; the charge by brother Winslow; the right hand of fellowship by brother Roberts, Wesleyan missionary; and the concluding prayer by brother Poor. Brother Woodward, though very feeble, was able to read the last hymn. Brother Richards was absent, on account of ill health. It was peculiarly interesting to see missionaries of different denominations, lay aside all party distinctions, and unite as brethren " Miss. Her.

UNITED STATES.-NEW-YORK RELIGIOUS TRACT SOCIETY. View of the Tenth Annual Report, presented in April, 1822.

(Concluded from p. 52.)

THE balance remaining in the treasury on the 10th of April, was $146 56, against which is to be placed the amount of about $950, debts due from the Society for printing, and for money obtained on Loan, as before alluded to. This loan was liberally furnished for one year without interest, by two members of the Board. The advantage derived from it, independent of the saving of interest, has been very important. By its means a large number of Tracts has VOL. IX.

15

been put into circulation; a portion of these have been sold, and the amount reinvested in Tracts, and many of these again may be sold before the term of the loan expires. It is evident, that the benefit arising from this operation is incalculable, while the inconvenience to the lenders is of trifling importance, It is not always to be expected that capitalists will lend their money on such occasions without interest; but it may be hoped that the example afforded in this instance, and the experience of its good effects, will induce others to proffer similar loans as they may be wanted, at least on condition of receiving legal interest.

Amongst the receipts of the year are $80, contributed by the ladies of four of the Presbyterian Churches in this city, for the purpose of constituting their respective pastors members for life of the Society.

There is no class of our fellow-citizens which possesses so many opportunities for the judicious distribution of Tracts, as that of Christian ministers; but they are generally amongst those least able to subscribe to public institutions. It is reasonable, therefore, that they should be enabled by others to avail themselves of the benefits of membership; and as there is no association to which a minister of the Gospel can be more appropriately a member, than that of a Religious Tract Society, it is highly desirable that the example of the ladies above mentioned, should be generally imitated.

In consequence of the embarrassments of the Society, the Board were induced, in February last, to request the favour of the Rev. Mr. Cox to preach a discourse for the benefit of the institution. The proposition was very kindly acceded to, and the use of the Church in Murray-street was very readily granted for the purpose. The discourse was eloquent and impressive, and the collection, one of the largest ever obtained for the Society. Besides this collection, it will be seen that others have been taken up in several of the churches of the city, and encouragement has been given, that this effort will be very generally made.

"The Youth's Auxiliary Religious Tract Society" was formed last October for the purpose of purchasing and distributing the publications of the N. Y. Religious Tract Society, 2000 of which they have put in circulation. A similar institution was formed in this city, in February last, denominated "The OliverStreet Juvenile Auxiliary Religious Tract Society." About 7000 tracts have been purchased, and $26,69 transmitted to the parent society. These two societies were formed without any concert, in different parts of the city, and uninfluenced by the members of the Board. Thus they seem to have been moved to this excellent work, by the spirit of the Redeemer alone.

The managers next mention the exertions of the ladies, in forming a "Female Branch" in this society, in terms of commendation. We have already published their proceedings. The report proceeds :

The judicious manner in which these pious Females have proposed to divide their labours, and the alacrity and zeal with which their work has been commenced, afford a prospect of success beyond the most sanguine expectations of the friends of the association.

United Domestic Missionary Society.

115

The Board, some time since, resolved upon the expediency of allowing a discount of fifteen per cent. on tracts, purchased by Auxiliary Societies, and ten per cent. on those purchased by other religious and charitable institutions. A circular, signifying this determination, has been addressed to the several assosiations in correspondence, from many of which a reply has been received, expressing a disposition to profit by the arrangement.

We shall pass over that part of the report which embraces an account of other Tract Societies, as most of them have already been noticed in our pages, or will be in the progress of the work.

A letter was received last summer from the Rev. E. P. Swift, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, requesting a copy of each of the publications of this institution, and stating that a society had been formed in that place, with the intention of publishing their own Tracts, on account of the expenses of transportation incurred by procuring them otherwise.

There would be an impropriety in recommending to other Societies the course they should pursue in the management of their finances, but the Board cannot forbear expressing an opinion that the practice prevailing with so many Tract Associations, of publishing for themselves, is an injudicious one.

Where several Societies unite in making use of Tracts issued from one press there is an immence saving of expense; on the contrary, where there are as many presses in operation for the same Tract, as there are Associations, a great proportion of the money disbursed in printing must be unnecessarily expended. This holds peculiarly good wherever the use of stereotype plates is introduced; and it must be unquestionable that the New-York Society, with their plates, can furnish any other Association with Tracts at a cheaper rate than they can possibly print for themselves.

UNITED DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

THIS Society held a general meeting on Wednesday evening, the 26th of June, in the Murray-street Church, for the purpose of giving an impulse to its operations, and increasing its funds. John D. Keese Esq. Chairman of the Executive Committee, presided, and read an account of the proceedings of the convention that formed the Society, and the acts of the "Young Men's" and of the "Evangelical" Missionary Societies, by which these two institutions have become incorporated in the "General Society." The Rev. W. W. Phillips opened the meeting with prayer, and the Rev. Messrs. Mathews, Truair, Rowan, and Dr. Spring delivered appropriate addresses. Allusion was made to the former divisions of Christians on this subject, in the city; and the present harmony was very feelingly ascribed, by one of the gentlemen, to the proper cause, the Spirit and agency of God; and the Society and Christians generally, were called upon to pray for a divine blessing to rest upon it.

A

collection of 110 dollars was taken up, and about 150 dollars subscribed to aid its funds.

By the union of the two Societies above named, the U. D. M. S. has now twenty nine missionaries in its employ.

CONSTITUTION.-ADOPTED MAY 10, 1822.

Article 1st. This Society shall be denominated THE UNITED DOMESTIC MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

Article 2d. The object of this Society shall be to spread the Gospel among the destitute, and also to assist congregations that are unable to support the gospel ministry.'

Article 3d. The officers of this Society shall be a President, Vice-Presidents, thirty Directors, a Treasurer, a Corresponding Secretary, and a Recording Secretary; who shall be annually chosen by the Society. They shall have power to enact their own by-laws; to supply vacancies which may occur in the Board; and to appoint honorary Directors and Vice-Presidents, in testimony of respect for eminent services. Seven shall constitute a quorum at any meeting regularly convened.

Article 4th. The Officers and Directors shall appoint an Executive Committee, of thirteen, (including the Treasurer, the Corresponding Secretary, and Recording Secretary,) residing in the city of New-York, and its vicinity; five of whom shall be a quorum at any meeting regularly convened. This Committee shall have power to appoint Missionaries, and prescribe the field of their labours; shall have the control of the funds; and shall create such agency or agencies for appointing Missionaries, and for other purposes, as the interests of the institution may require.

Article 5th The Treasurer shall give bonds, annually, to such amount as the Executive Committee think necessary.

Article 6th. Any Missionary Society may become auxiliary by agreeing to pay into the treasury of the parent institution its surplus funds, and may send a delegate to attend the meetings of the Society and Board.

Article 7th. Every auxiliary Society shall be entitled to a Missionary or Mis sionaries, to labour, in such field as it may prescribe, to at least the amount of moneys it shall raise.

Article Sth. The officers of auxiliary Societies shall, ex-officio, be members of the Board of Directors.

Article 9th. The commissions of all Missionaries shall be signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Executive Committee.

Article 10th. Any person may become a member of this Society, by paying annually, into the treasury, three dollars, or thirty dollars at one time; and may become a Director by paying fifty dollars.

Article 11th. The Society shall meet, annually, in the city of New-York, on the Friday immediately following the second Thursday in May.

Article 12th. This Constitution shall not be altered without a vote of two-thirds of the members present at an annual meeting.

Officers and Directors for the ensuing year.

President.-HON. STEPHEN VAN RENSSELLAER, Albany.

Vice-Presidents.-COL. HENRY RUTGERS, N. York. COL. RICHARD VARICK, N. York. HoN. JONAS PLATT, Utica. HoN. JOHN WOODWORTH, Albany. GEORGE HUNTINGTON, Esq. Utica. REV. JOHN H. LIVINGSTON, D. D. New-Brunswick, N.J. REV. ARCHIBALD ALEXANDER, D. D. Princeton. ROBERT RALSTON, Esq. Philadelphia.

Directors. Rev. Henry Davis, D. D. President of Hamilton College. Rev. Henry Dwight, Geneva. Rev. John Chester, D. D. Albany. Rev. Jacob Van Vechten, Schenectady. Rev. John F. Schermerhorn, Schoharie. Rev. David Porter, D D. Cattskill. Rev. Alexander Proudfit, D. D. Salem Rev. Gardner Spring, D. D. New-York. Rev. Philip Milledoler, D. D. New-York. Rev. C. C. Cuyler, Poughkeepsie. Rev. Elihu W. Baldwin, New-York. Rev. John Knox, New-York. Rev. Selah S. Woodhull, Brooklyn. Rev. Miles P. Squier, Buffaloe. Rev. William MMurray, New-York. Rev. Seth Willison, Durham, New-York.